Teen robber has spent years on drugs, alcohol
A 16-year-old involved in the violent robbery of a Woolston liquor store has already been a heavy user of alcohol and drugs for three years.
“You have got to beat the drugs. Best of luck,” Judge Noel Walsh told the teenager as he ordered a sentence of six months’ supervision with residence – effectively Youth Prison.
The youth had admitted the charges and had written a letter of apology to his victims, explaining that he had been heavily under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the August 29 robbery.
Two offenders smashed three full bottles of alcohol over the shop assistant’s head, causing cuts to the face and head.
The teenager wrote to his victim that he accepted responsibilty and had taken the drugs willingly, knowing that they might lead to loss of control. “I hope you and your family can forgive me. I will work hard to make sure this does not happen to anyone else.”
The youth’s grandfather was in court. He told Judge Walsh: “The people who legalised that synthetic weed should be made to smoke it and see how they fail.”
Other family members were also present to support the youth and see the sentence imposed. Supervision with residence had been suggested after the last appearance that the youth when the Crown suggested that the youth should be sent to the District Court where a prison term could be imposed. The judge accepted today that the case should remain in the Youth Court jurisdiction.
Judge Walsh said the case highlighted the evils of synthetic cannabis and what it had done to the youth.
He had terrorised his whanau while under synthetic cannabis, and done harmful things to them. They had grown accustomed to him being under the influence of drugs, and had sometimes had to place him elsewhere.
Since his time in custody after his arrest for the robbery, they had noticed a change in his behaviour and his clear thinking at the Family Group Conference.
A social worker reported to the court: “For the past three years, he has been a regular and heavy user of alcohol and drugs. Synthetics have given him a buzz that he enjoys and doesn’t want to stop.
“He has woken up in gutters, parks, beaches and bushes, but none of these experiences have been enough to stop him using drugs.
“He has never been ‘clean’ long enough to see the benefits of not using these substances.”
His time in custody has been his longest period clean of drugs and alcohol for years.
The social worker said that supervision with residence was essential for the youth to continue the rehabilitation work he had begun, and where he was making good progress.
He is the second youth offender in the robbery to get supervision with residence. A 17-year-old has also been charged in the District Court and his case is still to be heard.
The youth dealt with today had admitted charges of robbery, dishonestly getting into a car which was used in the robbery, unlawful possession of a sword in an earlier incident, and two assault charges.
His auntie told the court: “He’s really good boy. He’s got a really good heart. This is the worst thing he has done. He is trying really hard where he is.”
Category: Focus
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